barrelful

noun

bar·rel·ful ˈber-əl-ˌfu̇l

ˈba-rəl-

plural barrelfuls ˈber-əl-ˌfu̇lz

ˈba-rəl-

or barrelsful ˈber-əlz-ˌfu̇l

ˈba-rəlz-

1

: as much or as many as a barrel will hold

2

: a large number or amount

a barrelful of laughs

Examples of barrelful in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

At issue is a barrelful of leftover spending bills totaling more than $1 trillion, as well as the $33 billion Trump requested in emergency money for the Pentagon and border security. —

Andrew Taylor, Orange County Register, 8 Apr. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of barrelful was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

“Barrelful.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/barrelful. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

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